Baby Boomer Suicide Report Released

Although the federal Centers for Disease Control just reported a dramatic nationwide spike in the incidence of “Silver Suicide” over the past two years, Santa Barbara’s aging baby boomers have not been killing themselves in appreciably greater numbers. Since 2006, the number of suicides countywide has fluctuated with little regularity, ranging from a low of 28 in 2007 to a high of 55 in 2009. Those in the 55-65 age bracket have likewise ranged from seven to 11. By far, the majority of all suicides in Santa Barbara involve individuals 45 and older. But that’s been the case for some time, reflecting this age cohort’s overall representation throughout the population at large.